Box out the competition to land winning free-agent pickups with our fantasy basketball waiver wire report for Week 18.
We’ll help you target fantasy basketball waiver acquisitions that can benefit your teams as categorical contributors, total points adds, or injury fill-ins while identifying players who are starting to see additional minutes.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 18: Top Pickups
Brandin Podziemski, SG, Golden State Warriors (54% rostered in Yahoo leagues)
After being slotted into the starting lineup over Klay Thompson, Podziemski is surely going to get a lot of hefty bids in your league’s next waiver run.
I have featured the Golden State sparkplug a few times already, and he can score anywhere from 12- to 20-plus points per game with seven-plus assists, six-plus rebounds and a steal or two regularly.
Brandin Podziemski Free Agent Budget Bid: 40% of your available budget
Keyonte George, PG/SG, Utah Jazz (41%)
The rookie must be picked up now. It appears he might be surging in time for the fantasy basketball stretch run. He has moved into the Utah starting lineup and scored a career-high 33 points in his last game before the All-Star break.
George may not reach such scoring heights often, yet he should be good for mid-teens points per game and six-plus assists regularly with a steal or two per outing.
Keyonte George FAAB Bid: 30% of your available budget
Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Washington Wizards (48%)
The Wizards recently traded away Daniel Gafford, clearing the way for Bagley to play a large role. He will be a consistent double-double type for the rest of the season.
Marvin Bagley III FAAB Bid: 20% of your available budget
Ayo Dosunmu, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (44%)
On Feb. 12, Dosunmu scored a career-high 29 points, and he has averaged 15.7 points per game in February. The 24-year-old adds in consistent defensive stats and is set to produce well the rest of the way with Zach LaVine (foot) out for the season.
Ayo Dosunmu FAAB Bid: 18% of your available budget
Precious Achiuwa, PF/C, New York Knicks (55%)
Julius Randle (shoulder) is out until further notice, and Achiuwa has emerged as a terrific replacement in the meantime, posting regular double-doubles and blocks.
The recently acquired ex-Raptor is playing at possibly the highest level of his career in New York, averaging 14.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game in February.
Precious Achiuwa FAAB Bid: 18% of your available budget
GG Jackson II, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (19%)
The rookie signed a four-year contract with Memphis this month, and he will continue to be a key contributor due to the injury wave that has washed over the team.
Jackson has scored 20-plus points in three of his last four games, and he can also contribute defensively.
GG Jackson II FAAB Bid: 17% of your available budget
Combine fantasy basketball with NBA player props
Tre Mann, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets (45%)
After recently being acquired from Oklahoma City, Mann is showing that he can be a quality fill-in for LaMelo Bell (ankle), who has no firm return date.
In the last two games, the former first-round pick has totals of 32 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists.
Tre Mann FAAB Bid: 16% of your available budget
Amen Thompson, PG/SG/SF, Houston Rockets (43%)
Thompson has been taking full advantage of Fred VanVleet’s absence due to a groin injury. He registered double-doubles in three of five games before the break, and he has nine steals in his last four games.
We will have to see how Thompson’s production is impacted when VanVleet returns, but he’ll still have upside even if his minutes are trimmed.
Amen Thompson FAAB Bid: 15% of your available budget
Grant Williams, PF, Charlotte Hornets (29%)
Williams is functioning as a prime bench option for the Hornets, with 14-plus points and seven-plus rebounds in three of the last four games. He may have found a comfortable new home in Charlotte.
Grant Williams FAAB Bid: 10% of your available budget
Find More Ways to Play Daily Fantasy Basketball
Best Cheap Waiver Wire Bids For Week 18
- Dillon Brooks, SG/SF, Houston Rockets (40%): Overall, Brooks has been unreliable, but lately he is in a groove, with 19-plus points in four of the last five games.
- DeAndre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks (43%): He has scored 20-plus points in the last two games and peppers in some bonus stats in other categories, too.
- Ziaire Williams, SF, Memphis Grizzlies (8%): In the final game before the break, Williams busted out for 27 points, and he has to be on the radar for more potential scoring outbursts if continued injuries dictate more quality playing time.
